On 17 March 2021, the International Cotton Genome Initiative (ICGI) elected its new committee members. FANG Lei from the Zhejiang University College of Agriculture and Biotechnology was selected as Co-Chair of Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics of the International Cotton Genome Initiative (ICGI).

The International Cotton Genome Initiative, also known by the acronym ICGI, is hereby created as a global affinity group with common goals and interests. The ICGI is organized exclusively for scientific and educational purposes and aims to increase knowledge of the structure and function of the cotton genome for the benefit of the global community. The ICGI is organized into five discipline-based Workgroups as follows, Structural Genomics, Functional Genomics, Germplasm and Genetic Stocks, Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics, and Breeding and Applied Genomics.

According to ICGI Constitution, elected officers will serve four-year terms. Each officer will serve as Co-chair of ICGI or their Workgroup for two years. After two years, each Co-chair will be elevated to Chair.

https://www.cottongen.org/icgi/elections/steering-2021